Vaginal applicator



March 27, 1951 J. L. JONES 2,546,754

VAGINAL APPLICATOR Filed Nov. 19, 1947 INVEN TOR. Z/bH/VlESL/E db/VES Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VAGINAL APPLICATOR John Leslie Jones, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 19, 1947, Serial No. 786,919

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a new and useful device for applying fluid compositions of matter to mammalian vaginas.

This application is restricted to the improvements shown in Figures I, V and VI of the drawings as originally filed, and the claims herein are restricted to such improvements. The broad sub ject of my invention is being claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 55,030, filed October 18, 1948, as a continuationin-part of this application.

Various devices have been invented for the purpose of applying a fluid composition of matter to a human vagina. Some devices embody a'cotton swab fastened to a form. The cotton is treated with a composition of matter and inserted into a vagina. Irregular amounts of matter are deposited along a vaginal tract and the desired amount is not necessarily deposited at the desired position. Other devices utilize the principle of a spray or stream of liquid, usually an aqueous solution. These devices using a relatively large quantity of a liquid necessitate preparing solutions at the time of use. These devices also require facilities to dispose of the solutions after they are drained from a human vagina.

Still other devices utilize a viscous fluid type of medicament which is pushed into a vaginal tract by an applicator of a cylinder and piston type. An applicator of this type must be filled immediately before use and must be cleaned immediately after use to prevent a viscous fluid type of medicament from drying between the cylinder and piston walls, adhering the two members together.

An object of this invention is to provide a sanitary disposable applicator for the treatment of a human vagina with a stored viscous fluid medicament.

-Another object of this invention is to provide a sanitary disposable applicator for the treatment of a mammalian vagina with a fluid COl'llposition of matter.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hygienic, disposable applicator for the treatment of a human vagina with a fluid medicament.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hygienic, disposable device for the storage and transport of a seminal fluid and for its sanitary application to a mammalian vagina. Such a device is particularly useful in the breeding of cattle, sheep and pigs, when it is desired to fertilize a female animal with the semen of a specific male breeding animal.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following description, to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Figure I is an elevational view of my vaginal applicator embodying one form of my'invention.

Figure II is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thereof taken through II-II of Figure I.

Figure III is a fragmentary partial elevational partial sectional view thereof, taken through III-III of Figure II. V

Figure IV is a transverse sectional view through IV-IV of Figure II.

Figure V is a fragmentary longitudinal ,sectional View of another form of my invention shown before use.

Figure VI is a sectional View after use.

Figure VII is a transverse sectional View through VIIVII of Figure V.

Figure VIII is a transverse sectional view through VIII-VIII of Figure V.

Figure IX is a fragmentary sectional view of the discharge end of a further modified form of my invention designed to handle a liquid medicament.

Referring to Figures to IV inclusive, a rigid tubular form I of suitable length and diameter is suitably constricted at one end 5 and cemented at 5 to a circularly pleated, fluid resistant, collapsible tubular container d; said container 5 is closed at the end opposite the cemented joint 5. A force transmitting corded member cable means or tension element 2 passes around the pivits 3 and 1, said pivots 3 and 1 being attached to the interior of the rigid tubular form I. A terminus of the force transmitting corded member 2;projects sufficiently beyond the open end of the rigid tubular form i to permit the terminus to be easily grasped by human fingers at all times. A removable cap 5 is suitably sealed to the outside of the rigid tubular form I by a sealant which is not shown, to prevent the evaporation of volatile portions of a composition contained in container 4. A tab 8 is afiixed to the cap 5 to facilitate removal of the cap 5.

Referring to Figures V to VIII inclusive, a rigid tubular form 27 of suitable diameter and length is suitably cemented at one end 34 to a fluid re sistant, pleated, wedge shaped container 3|. The

apex of the container 3i is afiixed to a force transmitting corded member 29, Whose length extends SllfilClGlltlY beyond the open end of the rigid tubular form 21 to provide a terminus easily grasped by human fingers during the operation of the applicator, which is explained later. A

pair of wedges 33 are suitably aiflxed to a pair or plane parallel rigid sheets said sheets 28 bein rigidly separated a required distance and said sheets 28 being of suitable length to provide a terminus easily grasped by human fingers during the operation of the applicator. The sheets 28 and the pair of Wedges 39 are the width of th said container 3| as a minimum and approach the insidediameter of. the rigidtubularform 2? as a maximum. A' removable plug type cap: 32

is suitably sealed to the rigid tubular form 2? by a sealant, which is not shown, to prevent theevaporation of volatile portions of a composition contained in the container 35. A tab 3-3 amxed, to the cap 32, to facilitate removal of the cap The term, fluid resistant collapsible container,

is used to designate collapsible: containers made of thin, flexible materials resistant to thepenetration of fluid compositions which are storedirr the collapsible containers; said fluid compositions being intended for use in thetreatment of mammalian vaginas. Many of the fluid compositions contain water as an important'component;

therefore, the collapsible containers for such compositions" should be water resistant. Many of the=fluidcompositions contain vegetable oils as components; containers for such compositions should be resistant to the penetration of such oils. Other fluid compositions contain other fluid components and the-collapsible J containers for such compositions should be suitably resistantto the penetration of said components.

Examples of materials which may be used to formsuitablyshaped collapsible, Water resistant, containers are listed in Table I.

Table 1.

Natural rubber Polyethylene resin= Synthetic rubbers Paraffin Wax impregnated paper Vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer resin Natural rubber. impregnated paper Butyl methacrylate resin. Methyl acrylate resin Gther waxes may suitably be-usedto coat and impregnatepa-per, regenerated cellulose or-tex tiles to form'a waterresistant, collapsible-comtainer. Other'resinousmaterials,natural or synthetic, may'suitably be usedto coat and impregnate paper; regenerated cellulose or textiles to forma water resistant collapsible container. Other high polymeric compositions maybe usedalone or IIICOl'ilblIlfl-fifil'l to form a completewaterresistant, collapsible container.

Examples oi -materials which may be used to form suitablyshaped collapsible, vegetable oil resistant; containers are'listed as follows:

Table II Neoprene rubber Polyethylene resin. Ureaeformaldehyde. resin. impregnated paper Melamine-formaldehyde resin impregnated paper Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copol-ymer'resin Polyvinyl alcohol plasticizedisheet The designofa vaginal applicator forapar ticular use is subject to certain physicalrequirements. The volume of the'fluid resistant, col-- lapsible container is that required to hold the desiredvolume of fluid composition of matter.

It is desirable to make a device for. application of single doses of a desired: medicament: to a human vagina. It is alsodesirable. that such a. device inexpensive in order to justify; its vdeor 32 is sealed to the outside of the'tubular mom-- "tubu-lar member having discharge end; a a colstruction after a single use. It is good hygienic practice to prepare such devices and load them with a desired medicament in a factory, where high sanitary standards can be rigidly maintained during large quantity production. My invention enables such objectives to be met readily and economically.

The rigid tubular member of form I of Figures I to IV. inclusive and the. tubular member 2'5 of Figures V to VIII inclusive; are economically made from paper tubing of suitable dimensions. The removable caps of plugs 5 or 32 respectively, are economically made from fluid resistant paper stock. When used to apply medicament the fluid a resistant collapsible container l or 3! is filled with a desired viscous fluid medicament, the removable cap:;5 ror32- is sealed on and the apparatus stored for later use at a required time. Whenan applicator is needed, the removable cap is taken off, and the rig-id tubular member 4 or 3! is inserted in the human vaginal tract to the desired depth. In the arrangement shown in Figures I to IV, the cord-2 is pulled While-the tubular member is held in position. In the arrangement shown in Figures V to VIII, the cord 29 is pulled and the wedges 30 simultaneously forced inwardly. In either case, the container 4 or 3! is collapsed discharging its contents into the vaginaltra'ct. Being aninexpensive disposable device, the applicator is thrown away after a single use. No storage of an unsightly device isnecessary. No washing ofadirtydeviceis necessary. No estheticsatisfactions are marred bythe necessity of-using a douche device.

Inthe application of my invention for purposes" of artificial insemination, the fluid resistant collapsible container 4 or 3'l-is filled with a viscous seminal preparation, said semen beingobtained from a-desired male breeding animal, the cap-5 bar [or 21, the applicatoris shipped under speci-- fled temperature control to a distant-farm, and the cap 5*or 32 isremoved and'the tubular memher inserted into the vaginaltract of a female breeding animal to the-required depth' and-the device operated as described hereinbefore; the

disposable applicator is removed and destroyed.

Unnecessary handling and manifold transference of the seminal preparation are avoided, withcon sequent minimization ofcontamination and lossof potency.

In some instances it is desired to employ a very fluid or; liquid I medicament. For this purpose, as shown in Figure IX, an orifice plate is suitably sealed in the discharge end of the tubular member 2 5 t of the arrangement shown in Figures V and'VIILafter the'collapsible container: Bl-has been filled with aphysiolog-ical salt solution con taining a medicament. The cap 32 is sealed-in 7 place, ready to use, to employ-'- inthe manner of the first described structure. By theuse'of "my invention very fluid solutions and suspensions-of desired materials may be inserted into a vaginal-- tract in a: desired dosage. Similarly an 4 oriflce plate maybe employediin" conjunction with-the construction shown in -Figures I to IV.

Although specific embodiments of this inventionh'ave been shown and described, itwill be understood they-are illustrative and that-various modifications may be made therein without de parting from the scopeand spirit oi'this inven tion as defined in the append'ed' claims.

I claim:

l. A vaginal applicator, involving: a rigid lapsible container within said tubular member and having a discharge end secured to the discharge end or" said tubular member; a tension element extending from said tubular member; and means operatively associated with said tension element to collapse said container and discharge its contents from the end of said tubular member.

2. A vaginal applicator, involving: a rigid tubular member having a discharge end; a collapsible container within said tubular member and having a discharge end secured to the discharge end of said tubular member; and means including a tension element protruding from the opposite end of said tubular member to discharge the contents of said container.

3. A vaginal applicator, involving: a rigid tubular member; a pleated collapsible container within said tubular member and disposed with its discharge end coinciding with an end of said tubular member; and means including a tension element protruding from the opposite end of said tubular member to discharge the contents of said container.

4. A vaginal applicator, involving: a rigid tubular member; a collapsible container within said tubular member and having a discharge end 7 secured thereto at one end thereof; a tension member protruding from the remote end of said tubular member; and cable means attached to said tension means threaded through loops at the attached end of said container member and forming a portion longitudinally embracing said container whereby upon pulling said tension member said container is collapsed axially.

5. A vaginal applicator, involving: a rigid tubular member; a pleated collapsible'container within said tubular member and disposed with its discharge end coinciding with an end of said tubular member; pivoted means between said container and tubular member adjacent their attached ends; a cable threaded through said pivoted means and forming a pair of loop portions overlying the sides and extended end of said container; and a tension element attached to one of said loop portions to pull said loop portion thereby to contract the other loop portion and collapse said container.

6. A vaginal applicator, involving: a pleated container adapted to collapse axially; a rigid tubular member encompassing said container and attached by one end to the discharge end of said container; a tension member protruding from the opposite end of said container; and means attached to said tension element and so engageable with said container to effect axial crushing of said container upon application of tension to said tension member.

'7. A vaginal applicator, involving: a pleated container adapted to collapse axially; an orifice plate closing said container, said container being adapted to contain a liquid substance; a rigid tubular member encompassing said container and attached by one end to the discharge end of said container; a cap initially covering and sealing said tubular member to confine the contents of said container; a tension member protruding from the opposite end of said container; and means attached to said tension element and so engageable with said container to eifect axial crushing of said container upon application of tension to said tension member.

8. A vaginal applicator as set forth in claim 3, wherein said tension element involves a cable looped over said container threaded through guide means at the discharge end of said container, doubled upon itself, and extending from said tubular member at its end opposite from the discharge end of said container.

9. A vaginal applicator as set forth in claim 3,v

wherein said tension element extends axially from said container and fingers are slidable along said tension member and against the sides of said container to eject the contents thereof.

10. A vaginal applicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tension element involves a cable looped over said container threaded through guide means at the discharge end of said container, doubled upon itself, and extending from said tubular member at its end opposite from the discharge end of said container.

11. A vaginal applicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tension element extends axially from said container and fingers are slidable along said tension member and against; the sides of said container to eject the contents thereof.

12. A vaginal applicator as set forth in claim wherein an orifice plate is provided in the discharge end of said collapsible container.

JOHN LESLIE JONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,059,966 Kaufman et a1 Nov. 3, 1936 2,072,327 Friedman etal Mar. 2, 1937 2,338,448 Lewis Jan. 4, 1944 2,469,399 Manson May 10, 1949 

